Squaw Creek, a lower valley Methow tributary was the site of the earliest hard-rock mining in the valley.

Miners swarmed to the Methow when quarts showing fine gold was discovered in the vicinity of Squaw Creek around 1886.

Everyday, several families and many single prospectors joined the mining camp on the north bank of Squaw Creek. W.A. Bolinger, came to the little settlement around 1889, he observed the frenzied activity, saw a need and started a general merchandise store. Then came a blacksmith shop, barber shop, assay office, and a school house, all within a year. This mini-mining community eventually harbored four general stores, two hotels, restaurant, saloon, livery stable, meat market, and a sawmill. A five-stamp mill stood on the banks of Squaw Creek and in 1892 two arrastras operated between town and the stamp mill. Some of the mines that operated in the area were. Ocean Wave, Exclusion, Paymaster, Second to None, and the Philadelphia. The Squaw Creek gold rush ended as fast as it was born. Squaw Creek meanwhile turned into a ghost town.